Get ready to fall in love with your slow cooker all over again. This Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes recipe is the ultimate “set it and forget it” meal, delivering a hearty, flavorful dinner with minimal effort. Imagine coming home to tender, juicy chicken and perfectly cooked, savory potatoes, all swimming in a delicious herb-infused sauce. It’s the perfect comfort food solution for busy weeknights.
We’ve designed this recipe to be practically foolproof. You get a complete, satisfying meal in one pot, which means less time cooking and more time enjoying. Let the crockpot do all the work!
Why This Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes Recipe Works
There are countless slow cooker recipes out there, but this one stands out for its simplicity and incredible flavor. The magic lies in the seasoning blend, which creates a rich, savory sauce right in the crockpot. Unlike other recipes that can result in bland chicken and mushy potatoes, our method ensures every single component is perfectly cooked and packed with flavor.
This is more than just a dump-and-go meal; it’s a strategy for a delicious dinner. It’s designed for the enthusiastic home cook who wants a reliable recipe that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, not minutes on prep. This is a dish that will earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
Just a few minutes of prep and the crockpot does the rest.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish is its reliance on simple, wholesome pantry staples. No need for a special trip to the grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need to create this fantastic meal:
Chicken Thighs: We use boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they remain incredibly tender and juicy during the long cooking process.
Potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes are the best choice. Their waxy texture helps them hold their shape and resist turning mushy.
Carrots & Onion: These classic vegetables add a foundational sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish.
Chicken Broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the final dish. It creates the perfect braising liquid.
Olive Oil: A little olive oil helps to bind the seasonings to the chicken and vegetables.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides the best flavor, but garlic powder works in a pinch.
Seasoning Blend: A simple yet powerful mix of dried thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and black pepper is all you need to create a wonderfully aromatic and savory sauce.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Chicken and Potatoes in Your Crockpot
This recipe is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Just a few minutes of prep in the morning, and dinner is done.
Prep the Veggies: Chop your potatoes, carrots, and onion into uniform, 1-inch pieces. This ensures they cook evenly. Place them in the bottom of your crockpot.
Season Everything: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables. Pour the seasoning mixture over the chicken and vegetables, tossing gently to coat everything well.
Add Liquid & Cook: Pour the chicken broth around the edges of the crockpot. Avoid pouring it directly over the seasoned chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Serve: The chicken should be fall-apart tender and the potatoes perfectly cooked. Serve hot, spooning some of the delicious sauce from the pot over each serving.
Tips for the Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes
Even the simplest recipes have a few tricks to make them shine. Here are our top tips for making this dish absolutely perfect every time.
Choosing the Right Potatoes
As mentioned, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes are your best friend in the slow cooker. Starchy potatoes, like Russets, have a tendency to break down and become mealy over a long cooking time. Cutting them into uniform 1- to 1.5-inch chunks is the sweet spot for perfect tenderness.
Getting Flavorful Chicken
For an extra layer of flavor, you can sear the chicken thighs in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side before adding them to the crockpot. This is an optional step, but it creates a beautiful brown crust and deepens the overall flavor of the dish. If you’re short on time, skipping it will still yield a delicious result.
Perfectly tender chicken and potatoes, straight from the slow cooker.
Thickening the Sauce (Optional)
The liquid in the crockpot makes a wonderful, light sauce as is. If you prefer a thicker, gravy-like sauce, it’s simple to do. About 30 minutes before serving, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the crockpot, turn the heat to high, and let it cook for the final 20-30 minutes until thickened.
Fun Variations to Try
This Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes recipe is a fantastic base for experimentation. Try one of these delicious variations:
Creamy Chicken and Potatoes: Add 4 ounces of cubed cream cheese and 1/2 cup of heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a rich, creamy sauce.
Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other hearty vegetables like celery, green beans, or mushrooms during the last hour of cooking.
Lemon & Herb: Brighten things up by adding the juice of one lemon and a handful of fresh parsley at the end of the cooking time.
This is truly a one-pot meal, but if you want to round it out, a few simple sides go perfectly. A fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette is a great choice. For something heartier, you can’t go wrong with our amazing garlic butter breadsticks to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
On average, raw chicken and potatoes will be perfectly cooked in a crockpot in 6-8 hours on the LOW setting or 3-4 hours on the HIGH setting. Always ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Waxy potatoes are the best choice as they hold their shape well during long cooking times. We highly recommend Yukon Gold or red potatoes for this recipe. Avoid starchy potatoes like Russets, which can become mushy.
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. However, they can dry out more easily than thighs. To prevent this, cook on the LOW setting and check for doneness closer to the 5-6 hour mark. Add them in the last 3-4 hours if you can.
The key is to use the right type of potato (waxy ones like Yukon Gold or red) and to cut them into uniform, larger chunks (about 1 to 1.5 inches). Placing them at the bottom of the crockpot also helps them cook evenly without turning to mush.
No, it is not necessary. This is designed as a ‘dump and go’ recipe. However, searing the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side in a hot skillet before adding it to the crockpot will add an extra layer of deep, savory flavor.
More Delicious Chicken Dinners
If you loved this easy recipe, you’re sure to enjoy some of our other fan-favorite chicken dinners. Give our Creamy Garlic Chicken a try for a skillet meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes, or for another slow cooker classic, don’t miss our Crockpot Salsa Chicken.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this easy and delicious Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes recipe! It’s a true comfort food classic that we’re sure your family will love. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
The easiest one-pot meal you'll make all week!
Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
FL Recipes
Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes: The Easiest One-Pot Meal
The ultimate 'set it and forget it' meal! This Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes recipe delivers tender chicken and perfectly cooked potatoes in a savory herb sauce with minimal prep. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Chop your potatoes, carrots, and onion into uniform, 1-inch pieces. Place them in the bottom of your crockpot.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables. Pour the seasoning mixture over the chicken and vegetables, tossing gently to coat everything well.
Pour the chicken broth around the edges of the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
The chicken should be fall-apart tender and the potatoes perfectly cooked. Serve hot, spooning some of the delicious sauce from the pot over each serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 38gFat: 20gFiber: 4g
Notes
For a thicker sauce, mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 3 tbsp cold water and stir into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking. For extra flavor, sear chicken thighs in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
